Eleanor Finch
On August 19, 1812, USS Constitution met and defeated HMS Guerriere in a battle during the War of 1812. The battle took place about 400 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was a decisive victory for the Americans. The USS Constitution, under the command of Captain Isaac Hull, sailed from Boston on August 2 and spent the next two weeks preparing for combat. When the two ships encountered each other, Guerriere's Captain James Richard Dacres engaged, confident of victory despite facing a bigger, stronger-manned, and better-armed U.S. ship. However, in the exchange of broadsides, Guerriere's masts were felled, and the ship was left in a sinking condition. The battle was a pivotal moment in American naval history, boosting morale and patriotism, and established Constitution as a household name.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 19 August 1812 |
| Location | 400 miles (640 km) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia |
| Participants | USS Constitution, an American ship; HMS Guerriere, a British ship |
| Outcome | USS Constitution defeated HMS Guerriere |
| Casualties | USS Constitution: 7 killed, 7 wounded; HMS Guerriere: 15 killed, 62 wounded |
| Impact | Boosted American morale and patriotism during the War of 1812 |
| Notable Events | HMS Guerriere's masts fell, rendering the ship helpless; USS Constitution's resilient hull withstood British cannonballs |
| Commanders | USS Constitution: Captain Isaac Hull; HMS Guerriere: Captain James Richard Dacres |
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What You'll Learn
USS Constitution's pursuit of HMS Guerriere
USS Constitution, under the command of Captain Isaac Hull, sailed from Boston on 2 August 1812 and steered for the blustery waters southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. After two weeks of daily gun drills in preparation for combat, Hull and his crew sighted the British frigate HMS Guerriere, under the command of Captain James Richard Dacres, on the afternoon of 19 August 1812. Guerriere was one of the ships in a British squadron Hull and his crew had outrun a few weeks earlier.
Guerriere closed to within a mile of Constitution, and the British hoisted their colours and released a broadside, but the cannonballs fell short. The crew asked Hull for permission to return fire, but he refused so as not to waste the first broadside. Soon, Constitution slid alongside her opponent and Hull gave the command to fire. The battle commenced. Constitution’s thick hull, composed of white oak planking and live oak frames, proved resilient to enemy cannonballs.
Guerriere's foremast and mainmast both snapped off at deck level, leaving her helpless and rolling heavily. Dacres attempted to set sail on the bowsprit to bring his ship before the wind, but it too had been damaged and broke. The Constitution ran downwind for several minutes, repairing damage to the rigging, before once again beating upwind to return to battle. As Constitution prepared to renew the action, Guerriere fired a shot in the opposite direction, signalling surrender. Lieutenant Charles Morris boarded Guerriere and accepted the surrender of Captain Dacres, who was gravely wounded.
During the night, the Americans tended to the wounded and dead, and ferried the British prisoners of war and their possessions across to Constitution. By the morning, it was clear Guerriere could not be saved, and Hull made the decision to scuttle the ship by igniting the warship’s powder in the magazines. Constitution and the prisoners sailed for Boston and arrived on 30 August. The victory proved to be important for American morale and patriotism.
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The battle begins
The USS Constitution sailed from Boston on August 2, 1812, under the command of Captain Isaac Hull. The ship steered for the blustery waters southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Over the next two weeks, Captain Hull drilled his crew at the guns, and the USS Constitution captured four British merchant vessels.
On August 19, the USS Constitution sighted the British frigate HMS Guerriere, under the command of Captain James Richard Dacres. The HMS Guerriere had been detached from a squadron that had earlier failed to capture the USS Constitution. Despite facing a bigger, stronger-manned, and better-armed U.S. ship, Captain Dacres was confident of victory. As the HMS Guerriere closed in on the USS Constitution, the British hoisted their colours and released a broadside, but the cannonballs fell short. Captain Hull refused to return fire so as not to waste the first broadside. Soon, the USS Constitution slid alongside the HMS Guerriere, and Captain Hull gave the command to fire. The battle had begun.
The USS Constitution's thick hull, composed of white oak planking and live oak frames, proved resilient to enemy cannonballs. The HMS Guerriere's foremast and mainmast both snapped off at deck level, leaving her helpless and rolling heavily. Captain Dacres attempted to set sail on the bowsprit to bring his ship before the wind, but it too had been damaged and broke. Meanwhile, the USS Constitution ran downwind, repairing damage to the rigging, before once again beating upwind to return to battle. As the USS Constitution prepared to renew the action, the HMS Guerriere fired a shot in the opposite direction, signalling surrender.
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Guerriere surrenders
On 19 August 1812, USS Constitution met and defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere in a decisive victory. The battle took place about 400 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was a significant moment in the War of 1812 between the US and Britain.
Guerriere, under the command of Captain James Richard Dacres, had been pursuing and searching American vessels. Despite facing a bigger, stronger, and better-armed US ship, Dacres was confident of victory. However, the exchange of broadsides felled Guerriere's masts, and the ship was left in a sinking condition.
During the battle, Lieutenant William Sharp Bush, commander of Constitution's Marine detachment, was killed by a musket ball to the cheek. First Lieutenant Charles Morris, who attempted to take his place, was also seriously wounded. Captain Dacres himself was gravely injured by an American musket ball. The two ships eventually broke apart, with Guerriere suffering severe damage and being forced to surrender.
The Americans spent the night tending to the wounded and dead, and ferrying the British prisoners of war and their possessions across to Constitution. By the morning, it was clear that Guerriere could not be saved, and Captain Isaac Hull of the Constitution made the difficult decision to scuttle the ship by igniting the warship's powder. Constitution and the prisoners sailed for Boston, arriving on 30 August. The victory was an important boost to American morale and established Constitution as a household name.
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USS Constitution returns to Boston
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", returned to Boston on August 30, 1812, after its iconic battle with HMS Guerriere. The ship's captain, Isaac Hull, had set sail from Boston on August 2, 1812, and steered towards the waters southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The battle with HMS Guerriere took place on August 19, 1812, about 400 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The USS Constitution, with its superior size, armaments, and crew, emerged victorious, dealing a significant blow to the morale of the Royal Navy and boosting American patriotism. The USS Constitution's thick hull, composed of white oak planking and live oak frames, withstood the onslaught of British cannonballs, while the Guerriere's masts fell and the ship was left in a sinking condition.
Following the battle, the USS Constitution returned to Boston with the British prisoners of war, arriving on August 30. The victory established the ship as a household name, and Captain Hull was greeted by throngs of cheering Bostonians upon his return. A militia company escorted him to a reception at the Exchange Coffee House, and he was honoured with dinners, presentations, and awards in the following weeks, months, and years.
The USS Constitution's return to Boston after its victory over HMS Guerriere was a pivotal moment in American naval history, despite the battle's relatively minor military significance. The ship's resilience and the crew's bravery inspired pride and patriotism in the young nation, galvanizing public support for the War of 1812. The USS Constitution's legacy continued to be celebrated, and the ship itself was eventually restored and refloated in Boston Harbor in July 2012, honouring its place in American history.
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The impact of the battle
The battle between the USS Constitution and HMS Guerriere was a pivotal moment in American naval history, with a significant impact on morale and patriotism. The USS Constitution, under the command of Captain Isaac Hull, sailed from Boston on August 2, 1812, and encountered the HMS Guerriere, led by Captain James Richard Dacres, on August 19. The HMS Guerriere had been actively stopping and searching American merchant vessels, so its defeat was particularly satisfying for American seafarers.
The USS Constitution's victory established the ship as a household name, and Captain Hull was greeted with enthusiasm and celebrations upon his return to Boston. The battle also contributed to the emergence of new American heroes and symbols, such as Oliver H. Perry and Dolley Madison, and inspired a sense of national pride. It was a decisive victory for the Americans, as the HMS Guerriere was a larger and better-armed ship, with a confident captain. The USS Constitution's resilience and superior firepower, attributed to its thicker hull and larger guns, played a crucial role in its victory.
The battle also influenced the course of the war and subsequent military strategies. The USS Constitution's success against the Royal Navy frigate challenged the belief in the Royal Navy's superiority and demonstrated the capabilities of American frigates. This led to a shift in perceptions and tactics, with the Royal Navy recognising the strength of American frigates and the need to adapt their approaches. Additionally, the capture of the HMS Guerriere resulted in the loss of a valuable ship for the British, impacting their naval capabilities during the war.
While the battle's impact on the overall military outcome of the War of 1812 may have been limited, it had a significant effect on public sentiment and national identity. The victory boosted American morale and shaped how the nation viewed itself and its place in the world. The battle's legacy continued to be celebrated and remembered through dinners, presentations, and awards long after the event, solidifying its place in American history and naval lore.
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Frequently asked questions
USS Constitution won the battle, marking a pivotal moment in American naval history.
HMS Guerriere's foremast and mainmast fell by the board, leaving her helpless and rolling heavily. Guerriere was forced to surrender and was eventually scuttled by igniting the warship's powder.
USS Constitution returned to Boston with news of the victory, which proved to be important for American morale. Captain Hull was greeted by throngs of cheering Bostonians and honoured at a reception at the Exchange Coffee House.
